The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-05-02

ter of fact, there are no lofty mountains
marked on our maps north OF 6l7 north latitude.
AIMS are either in the tronics or much nearer
the tropics than Mt ST. Elias and Mt Fair
weather. in southeastern Alaska
There appear to be two belts zones of frig-
idity encompassiug the earth at about equal
distances, north and south of the equator,
which might be termed the arctic and antarctic
zones These zones are probably from LOCO to
lzOO miles IN breadth, bounded side
by the Attic ard Antariic circles. aud on the
other side by the shores of the warm polar seas.
What field for conjecture and Imagination is
opened up here. The polar regions proba-
bly, composed of land and in about the
same proportions, the explored and we'll
known regions of the globe The land may be
IN the form of islands small continents, and
they may be inhabited By an intelligent race OF
human beings, whose eyes for may have
been turned towards the regions more favored
by sunlight than they are. They have wondered,
what became of the sun durin . their long nights;
and they may have made many repeated at
tempts to penetrate and cross the icy barriers
OF the trigid zones. that shut .hem IN from all
communication with the sun favored chimes be-
yond those impassab BILE blockades. where the ice
bergs and the glaciers. are continually on guard,
preventing the solution of the great mystery,
that lies securely sealed and hidden at either
pole
1t has been demonstrated by arctic explorers
and whale hunters who spend much of their
time in the arctic seas. that the zone of greatest
cold is not the furthest north to which they
have penetrated. but that it is in that portion of
the Arctic ranging from 62o TO l3o north lati-
tude. The point of greatest cold so far ascer-
tanned Is at Yakutsk. IN Eastern Siberia stu
ated in 621 north latitude. 1t shows for JAN
nary an average temperature of Al j. below
zero The next lowest Is Ust Yausk, in the
same country. situate the borders of the
Arctic ocean. which lies north OF Asia IN lati-
tude I0o 50 north, which shows 49, 50 below
zero for January. Here is a difference of near
ly three degrees Fahrenheit, in favor of Ust
Yausk, which is s. 80 further north than
4akutsk, equivalent to 615. 33 miles further in
the direction of the north pole.
We also find that Upernavik, the west
coast of Greenland. IN T22 As north, shows but
1913 degrees below zero Yet here is difference
of 10o 46> further north. equivalent to 1887
miles. The difference IN temperature is II de-
erees in favor of Upernavik.
The point of greatest colo in the western part
of British America is Fort Simpson, on the Mac
kenzie river. in latitude parth Oh 81. which has
mean temperature for January of Il degrees,
or about the same Upernavik in Greenland.
which is 102 81 further north, equivalent to
T0S 40 miles. Another and a very pertinent fact
may be noted IN this connection and that is,
that the points of greatest cold in Asia and
North America, viz: Yakutsk and Fort Simp
son. are in the interior of those continents far
inland whilst Ust Yausk and Upernavik,
though much further north. show mllder eli
mate. But Ust Yausk and Upernavik are on
arctic seas, or currents from the polar seas, ex-
ert decidedly modifying influence the
climate of far northern seacoasts. Now, what
causes this, if there be not polar
that sends the arctic current forth its south
ward course freighted with heat, to enable it TO
force its way through the icy zone, the labor
atory of icebergs. that lies south of So north lati
tude. Ii may also be observed that the points of
greatest cold in both Asia and North America
lie in about the same latitude. to-wit Yakutsk
62o 2 and Fort Simpson Oh 81 =, which differ
ence is SO slight to be practically the same.
SHELLBYvILLE. April IS. VIM. r. NORRIS.